1 | Wine | Pinot Noir, Central Coast, 91 to 95

"The pure ripe plum and black cherry fruit joins spice and wilted rose notes for a complex, delicate mix of flavors, gaining on the finish."

"This is a richer, deeper style than the Rincon. Layers of dark cherries and plums emerge from this fleshy, pliant Pinot Noir. The inner sweetness and perfume weave through effortlessly to a round, inviting finish."

"Subtle and intense, with a pure, juicy core of blackberry and raspberry, offering spicy oak and floral notes. Gains on the long finish."

"Bright red. Sexy aromas of black raspberry, cinnamon, minerals and potpourri; smells like there are stems here but Kathy Joseph says no. Precise and vibrant on the palate, with good nervy cut to its intense flavors of candied red berries and spicecake. Still youthfully taut and bound-up but shows excellent potential. Turns more floral with air, finishing with tangy grip and a lingering hint of Asian spices. This pinot shows impressive vivacity for its warm vintage."

"Another super-impressive wine from Foxen. It combines some of the ethereal feel of the Julia’s with the weight of the Sea Smoke. If that sounds appealing, believe me, it is. This is a marvelous Pinot loaded with class and finesse. The Bien Nacido Block 8 (along with the Julia’s) is one of the least expensive of the 2010 Pinots, yet I find it the most compelling of the bunch."

"Captures a rich, vivid mix of dark berry, spice, loamy earth and cedar, with the blackberry and wild berry flavors driving the core. Ends with chewy, gripping tannins that let the flavors cling."

"Rich and layered, with a subtle, loamy earth baseline to ripe blueberry and wild berry flavors that are tight yet fan out nicely, offering depth and dimension, gaining persistently."

"Bright ruby-red. Assertive aromas of candied raspberry, cherry and fresh rose, with Asian spice accents building with air. Juicy and precise, offering alluringly sweet red fruit flavors and a hint of candied flowers. Shows impressive energy and clarity on the strikingly long finish, which features a zesty blood orange nuance and silky tannins."

This wine was named #83 of Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2012.

"Well-crafted, tight and structured, with firm, gripping tannins keeping the zesty, tart wild berry, blackberry and date-nut bread flavors in check."

"Bright red. Assertive aromas of raspberry, cherry and fresh rose, with Asian spice and mineral accents building with air. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering sweet red berry flavors and a hint of candied flowers. Shows impressive energy and clarity on the persistent finish, which features a zesty blood orange nuance."